JAKARTA - Reece James hopes FIFA will push back the start of the 2026 World Cup to help the players overcome the hot summer he felt directly in the United States while leading Chelsea to glory at the 2025 Club World Cup.
England are among their favorite teams to win in North America next year and have confirmed qualifying for the tournament with two games remaining.
The team, who are runners-up to Euro twice in a row, will host Serbia and travel to Albania as Thomas Tuchel's team completes the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers before attention turns to Washington's 2026 World Cup draw on December 5.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico are hosting a tournament that will be played in the midst of intense heat, which FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani said could cause the match to be postponed after studying the impact of the start of the 2025 Club World Cup.
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Tuchel said it would be better to play later after watching a tournament in the United States, where James helped Chelsea achieve success in the summer.
"Of course, it will definitely help, when the kick starts later when it's not too hot and moist. That will definitely help," James said of Tuchel's complaint.
Furthermore, when asked if FIFA had contacted James for feedback after the 2025 Club World Cup, he denied it.
"No, I haven't been asked about my opinion about the time of the start. I'm sure they will ask someone."
"Maybe the manager or people at the club. I'm sure they will get some feedback," said James.
The UK is planning a warm-weather training camp in Florida to help adapt to a tournament that assistant coach Anthony Barry says staff is trying to build a game plan that 'holds heat'.
However, there is so much preparation to be made for such challenging conditions, which culminated in James with heat waves on the east coast during the 2025 Club World Cup.
"His condition is very difficult to play in the midst of such heat, especially those of us playing in England -- nothing has ever been like that before."
"Once you're there, you'll adapt the longer, when you've settled in one place and try to limit the things you can do."
"You'll feel the heat as soon as you step out of the hotel. The conditions are very hot. It's a difficult condition to play."
"The field when we were there wasn't too good so it was a bit difficult, but hopefully by the time the 2026 World Cup arrives, the condition will be better," said the Chelsea captain.
Heat is a key message in the England squad that James is eager to follow next summer, having previously been frustrated in a major tournament.
The 25-year-old only appeared as a substitute once at Euro 2020, before injury problems ruled him out of the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 in Germany.
"The football tournament may not go the way I dreamed, but it has passed. We look to the future. I feel good."
"I'm playing pretty well right now. I'm focused on staying healthy and performing well every week until this summer," said the defender with 21 appearances for the Three Lions.
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